Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 7 - 22
Published: July 22, 2024
Abstract
There
is
a
family
of
cases
at
the
edge
sentience.
In
these
cases,
grave
decisions
hinge
on
whether
we
regard
sentience
(initially
introduced
informally
as
‘ethically
significant
experience’)
to
be
present
or
absent
in
person,
animal,
other
cognitive
system.
The
includes
people
with
disorders
consciousness,
embryos
and
fetuses,
neural
organoids,
animals
(especially
invertebrates),
AI
technologies
that
reproduce
brain
functions
and/or
mimic
human
behaviour.
It
worth
studying
together
not
because
there
moral
equivalence
between
them
but
they
us
similar
types
uncertainty.
We
need
frameworks
for
helping
manage
uncertainty
reach
decisions.
This
book
aims
develop
consistent
precautionary
framework
enshrines
(but
also
goes
beyond)
insight
must
err
side
caution
take
proportionate
steps
risk,
avoid
reckless
negligent
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
11
Published: Nov. 13, 2023
Human
cerebral
organoids
(HCOs)
are
model
systems
that
enable
researchers
to
investigate
the
human
brain
in
ways
had
previously
been
impossible.
The
emergence
of
HCOs
was
accompanied
by
both
expert
and
layperson
discussions
concerning
possibility
these
novel
entities
developing
sentience
or
consciousness.
Such
concerns
reflected
deliberations
about
how
handle
regulate
their
use.
This
perspective
article
resulted
from
an
international
interdisciplinary
research
retreat
"Ethical,
Legal
Social
Aspects
Cerebral
Organoids
Governance
Germany,
United
Kingdom
States",
which
took
place
Tübingen,
August
2022.
focused
on
whether
HCO
requires
new
ethical
regulatory
approaches.
It
addressed
epistemic
issues
around
detection
theorisation
consciousness,
moral
status
conduct,
difficulties
for
legislation
guidelines
managing
entities,
public
engagement.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: July 19, 2024
Abstract
Can
octopuses
feel
pain
and
pleasure?
What
about
crabs,
shrimps,
insects,
or
spiders?
How
do
we
tell
whether
a
person
unresponsive
after
severe
brain
injury
might
be
suffering?
When
does
fetus
in
the
womb
start
to
have
conscious
experiences?
Could
there
even
rudimentary
feelings
miniature
models
of
human
brain,
grown
from
stem
cells?
And
what
AI?
These
are
questions
edge
sentience,
they
subject
enormous,
disorienting
uncertainty.
The
stakes
immense,
neglecting
risks
can
terrible
costs.
We
need
err
on
side
caution,
yet
it’s
often
far
clear
‘erring
caution’
should
mean
practice.
going
too
far?
not
doing
enough?
Edge
Sentience
presents
comprehensive
precautionary
framework
designed
help
us
reach
ethically
sound,
evidence-based
decisions
despite
our
Oxford Open Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
3
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
Abstract
Human
brain
organoids
equipped
with
complex
cytoarchitecture
and
closed-loop
feedback
from
virtual
environments
could
provide
insights
into
neural
mechanisms
underlying
cognition.
Yet
certain
cognitive
capacities
might
also
merit
moral
consideration.
A
precautionary
approach
has
been
proposed
to
address
these
ethical
concerns
by
focusing
on
the
epistemological
question
of
whether
possess
structures
for
morally-relevant
that
bear
resemblance
those
found
in
human
brains.
Critics
challenge
this
similarity
philosophical,
scientific,
practical
grounds
but
do
so
without
a
suitable
alternative.
Here,
I
introduce
an
architectural
infers
potential
cognitive-like
processing
based
pattern
information
flow
through
system.
The
kind
computational
architecture
acquired
organoid
then
informs
could,
theoretically,
be
supported
empirically
investigated.
implications
considerability
are
discussed.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 192 - 215
Published: July 22, 2024
Abstract
In
the
1980s,
growing
public
awareness
that
anaesthesia
was
not
routinely
being
used
on
newborn
babies
during
surgery
led
to
a
successful
campaign
change
clinical
practice,
vindicated
by
subsequent
evidence.
The
case
shows
value
of
precautionary
thinking
and
subjecting
norms
scrutiny.
When
we
turn
fetuses,
there
is
sometimes
concern
recognizing
fetal
sentience
may
be
incompatible
with
also
right
abortion,
but
no
incompatibility.
We
should
recognize
human
fetuses
as
candidates
from
start
second
trimester.
Future
evidence
could
move
threshold
for
candidature,
it
always
align
earliest
scientifically
credible,
evidence-based
estimate.
Clinical
in
this
area
need
formulated
appropriately
inclusive
processes,
these
processes
give
appropriate
weight
voices
women.
Research
embryos
raises
different
set
issues.
‘14-day
rule’
has
represented
compromise
between
deeply
conflicting
values,
conflict
never
been
satisfactorily
resolved.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 154 - 170
Published: July 22, 2024
Abstract
How
could
a
citizens’
panel
reach
an
informed
judgement
about
proportionality?
This
chapter
describes
possible
procedure
(intended
as
realistic,
feasible
ideal)
based
on
pragmatic
analysis
of
proportionality.
The
is
presented
with
shortlist
options
which
stakeholders
have
been
openly
consulted.
To
each
policy
option,
the
applies
four
tests
in
sequence:
permissibility-in-principle,
adequacy,
reasonable
necessity,
and
consistency.
Proposals
that
fail
test
are
set
aside.
pass
all
‘PARC
tests’
judged
proportionate.
PARC
induce
division
labour
between
its
expert
advisers.
At
stage,
advisers
provide
on-demand
input
regarding
likely
consequences
different
options,
but
it
falls
to
ordinary
citizens
debate
central
evaluative
questions.
These
questions
can
be
easily
understood
do
not
require
arbitrating
scientific
disagreements.
Although
government
ideal
implementing
agent
for
such
process,
other
organizations
conduct
similar
exercises.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 285 - 296
Published: July 22, 2024
Abstract
Taking
invertebrate
welfare
seriously
involves
proposing
and
debating
steps
that
may
be
proportionate
(permissible-in-principle,
adequate,
non-excessive,
consistent)
in
relation
to
specific
risks.
The
growing
interest
invertebrates
as
potentially
sustainable
protein
sources
underlines
the
need
for
these
debates.
It
would
plausibly
set
up
a
licensing
scheme
requires
companies
farming
sentience
candidates
investigation
priorities
fund
creation
(by
independent
experts)
of
codes
good
practice,
where
none
yet
exists.
There
is
one
important
exception,
namely
octopus
farming.
very
unlikely
could
ever
meet
reasonable
expectations
regarding
animal
welfare,
so
it
ban
outright.
Our
current
state
knowledge
makes
difficult
confident
slaughter
humane
or
stunning
effective.
easier
about
what
inhumane.
We
should
not
use
live
boiling
without
prior
decapods
insects,
since
this
method
needlessly
risks
extending
intensifying
suffering
associated
with
dying.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 332 - 334
Published: July 22, 2024
Abstract
This
chapter
offers
brief
concluding
remarks,
calling
on
society
to
prepare
for
the
(perhaps
imminent)
arrival
of
artificial
sentience
candidates
by
engaging
more
closely
with
that
already
surround
us
in
animal
kingdom.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 45 - 76
Published: July 22, 2024
Abstract
Reasonable
disagreement
about
sentience
requires
responsiveness
to
evidence
and
argument.
It
excludes
baseless
recommendations,
dogmatic
adherence
refuted
theories,
morally
abhorrent
(e.g.
sadistic)
positions.
However,
the
uncertainty
in
this
area
is
such
that
many
very
different
positions
can
be
held
by
reasonable
people.
This
chapter
examines
sources
of
have
their
origins
philosophy
mind.
Major
metaphysical
pictures
including
materialism,
epiphenomenalism,
interactionism,
Russellian
monism,
biopsychism,
‘integrated
information
theory’
are
introduced
major
strengths
weaknesses
considered.
The
then
turns
other
axes
disagreement.
One
concerns
importance
agency
embodiment,
real
or
virtual.
Another
scale
functional
organization
matters.
A
third
whether
edge
sharp
blurred.
